Medical device with preferential bending

Abstract

Medical devices such as catheters may provide advantages in flexibility, strength and other desired properties. Some medical devices may include a hypotube that has a plurality of slots disposed therein. The hypotube or another portion of the medical device may cause or permit the medical device to exhibit preferential bending in a single direction.

1 . A medical device comprising:
 a hypotube comprising a plurality of slots;   wherein the medical device is configured to exhibit preferential bending in a single direction.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional element that causes the medical device to exhibit preferential bending in a single direction. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the additional element is secured to a side of the hypotube, and permits at least some of the slots on said side to open but not to close. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the additional element is secured to a side of the hypotube, and permits at least some of the slots on said side to close but not to open. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the hypotube itself is adapted to exhibit preferential bending in a single direction. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of slots are configured to cause the hypotube to exhibit preferential bending in a single direction. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of slots are sized to cause the hypotube to exhibit preferential bending in a single direction. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of slots are shaped to cause the hypotube to exhibit preferential bending in a single direction. 
     
     
         9 . A medical device comprising:
 a hypotube having a first side surface and an opposing second side surface;   a first plurality of slots cut disposed within the first side surface;   a second plurality of slots disposed within the second side surface; and   a restricting element disposed along the first side surface.   
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the restricting element comprises a polymeric ribbon melted into at least some of the first plurality of slots. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the restricting element comprises a fiber secured to two or more locations along the first side surface. 
     
     
         12 . A medical device comprising:
 a hypotube having a first side and an opposing second side;   a first plurality of slots formed within the first side;   a second plurality of slots formed within the second side;   wherein the hypotube preferentially bends towards one of the first side and the second side.   
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein at least some of the first plurality of slots have a length that is equal to a length of at least some of the second plurality of slots. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the hypotube has an interior surface and an exterior surface, and wherein at least some of the first plurality of slots have a triangular shape having a minimum width at the exterior surface. 
     
     
         15 . A medical device comprising:
 an elongate spiral cut member defining an exterior surface; and   a plurality of tethers axially disposed about the exterior surface.   
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of tethers are not radially equidistantly disposed about the exterior surface. 
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 15 , comprising three tethers axially disposed about the exterior surface. 
     
     
         18 . A medical device comprising:
 a hypotube having a first side and an opposing second side;   a first plurality of slots formed within the first side;   a second plurality of slots formed within the second side;   wherein the first plurality of slots and the second plurality of slots are configured to cause the hypotube to preferentially bend towards one of the first side and the second side.   
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 18 , wherein at least some of the first plurality of slots have a length that is different from a length of at least some of the second plurality of slots. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 18 , wherein at least some of the first plurality of slots have a width that is different from a width of at least some of the second plurality of slots. 
     
     
         21 . The medical device of  claim 18 , further comprising a polymer sleeve disposed about the hypotube. 
     
     
         22 . A medical device comprising:
 a hypotube comprising a plurality of slots; and   electroactive polymer segments spanning at least some of the plurality of slots.   
     
     
         23 . The medical device of  claim 22 , further comprising a conductive pattern configured to selectively activate some of the electroactive polymer segments.